Abstract

AIMS
This study aimed to explore rural Australians' perceptions of social and cultural factors influencing alcohol use in their communities.
METHODS
Semi-structured interviews exploring rural community key informants' (n = 46) perceptions of social and cultural factors influencing alcohol consumption in their community were conducted. A narrative analysis identified cultural capital as a salient concept for explaining how rural community life is created and sustained via drinking practices.
RESULTS
Themes relating to participants' accounts of learning to drink, normal drinking; exclusion because of not drinking and problematic drinkers are described. Conclusion: In rural communities, beliefs and values about drinking as a positive social practice are transmitted, rewarded and reproduced across multiple groups and settings, reinforcing that drinking is an integral part of Australian rural culture. Drinking is so important that engaging in drinking practices creates and sustains cultural capital. As a result, alcohol-related harm is of little concern to rural dwellers.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Allan J, Clifford A, Ball P, Alston M, Meister P

Institution

The Lyndon Community, PO Box 9374, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia. jallan@lyndoncommunity.org.au

Source

Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) 47:5 pg 624-9

MeSH

Alcohol Drinking
Alcohol-Related Disorders
Australia
Culture
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Rural Population
Social Values
Temperance

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22763230